Free checker · no signup
Pregnancy-safe skincare checker
Paste an ingredient list and see which ingredients commonly appear on avoid-in-pregnancy lists. A heads-up to take to your OB or dermatologist, not a substitute for them.
CostFree
TimeUnder 1 min
SignupNone
DataKept on device
Paste the full ingredient (INCI) list from any product
Start your glow up
SkinPal on iPhone and Android
Next step · SkinPal app
Stop buying products that don't work for you.
Scan any label with your phone. SkinPal tells you if it suits your skin before you pay for it.
What you unlock in the app
- Ingredient scannerKnow if a product suits you before you buy it
- Full face analysisProportions, symmetry and skin, measured from one selfie
- Full skin report cardSee what's good and what needs work, from acne to skin age
- Heatmaps of your faceSee exactly where redness, oil and breakouts are
- Flare, your AI skin coachAsk anything, get answers based on your own face
- Morning and night routineMade for you, and it changes as you improve
- Progress trackingSee your before and after, week by week
The science
What gets flagged, and why this is a conversation starter
01
A small set of skincare ingredients is consistently advised against during pregnancy in dermatology guidance. Retinoids are the clearest case, because oral retinoids are known to cause birth defects and topical versions are avoided as a precaution. Hydroquinone, oxybenzone and high-strength salicylic acid also appear on most lists, for different and generally weaker reasons.
02
This checker matches your pasted ingredient list against those commonly flagged names. It does not know your trimester, your history, or the concentration in the product, and none of those are minor details. Low-strength salicylic acid in a rinse-off cleanser, for example, is treated differently from a leave-on peel by most clinicians.
03
Treat a match as a reason to ask, not a verdict. The right person to decide is your OB or dermatologist, and the most useful thing you can bring them is the actual ingredient list, which is exactly what you pasted here. Ingredients not flagged are not thereby proven safe; the list covers the well-known cases, not every possibility.
FAQ
Common questions
Which skincare ingredients should I avoid while pregnant?+
Retinoids of every kind (retinol, retinal, tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene) are the main group. Hydroquinone, oxybenzone, and high-concentration salicylic acid are also commonly advised against. Your own doctor may add or remove items based on your situation.
Is salicylic acid safe during pregnancy?+
Guidance varies. Many clinicians consider low concentrations in a wash-off product acceptable while advising against peels and high-strength leave-on products. Because it varies, this checker flags it and leaves the decision to your doctor.
What can I use for acne while pregnant?+
Azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the options most often considered acceptable, and glycolic acid at cosmetic strengths is generally regarded as fine. Confirm any active with your OB before starting it.
Is this medical advice?+
No. It is an ingredient-list reader that surfaces well-known flags so you can ask better questions. Decisions about what to use during pregnancy belong with your OB or dermatologist.